Monaca man pleads in police chases

Wednesday

BEAVER — A Monaca man accused of leading police on two separate chases through multiple municipalities will serve up to six years in prison after making a guilty plea, court records indicate.

According to an initial police report, Paul M. Berger, 34, was approached by officers at 10 p.m. Nov. 14 in the parking lot of the Snowy White Dry Cleaner on Adams Street in Rochester. Police said he was seated in a stolen car, locked all of the doors and refused to get out.

According to the report, Berger put the car in reverse, drove over a curb and aimed the vehicle directly at officers. Officers jumped out of the way as Berger drove off through Rochester, Rochester Township and New Brighton.

Berger crossed the bridge into Beaver Falls and drove toward the Sheetz gas station, where he hit a curb, police said. According to the report, Berger got out of his car and ran through a residential area. He was eventually tackled by an officer and arrested.

In that case, Berger pleaded guilty to one count of attempted aggravated assault. He was sentenced May 10 to between two and four years in prison, records show.

Berger also was charged in an earlier police chase in Baden. According to a police report, Berger was connected to that incident as a result of the arrest in Rochester. Officers were conducting a traffic stop on Route 65 at Bauman Avenue when Berger sped past. Police followed the driver toward Economy, where he was pulled over.

Berger was ordered out of the car, but he sped off into Freedom and turned up Ninth Street toward New Sewickley Township. Officers did not continue to chase him.

In that case, Berger pleaded guilty to a count of fleeing from police and was sentenced to serve between one and two years, records show.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.